The Board of Appeals is appointed by the City Council for three year terms.

MEETINGS:  The Zoning Board generally meets on the first Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m., as needed.  Meetings are held at the City Hall, 203 S. Farwell Street.  All meetings are open to the public.  Special meetings may be called by the Chair or by two or more members.

DUTIES:  The Board shall hear and decide appeals where it is alleged there is error in any order, requirement, decision or determination made by the Zoning Administrator. An appeal to the Board may be taken by any person aggrieved or by an officer, department, board or bureau of the city affected by any decision of the Zoning Administrator. The Board may, upon written application filed with the Secretary, make variations, adjustments and modifications to the zoning ordinance.

The Board is quasi-judicial in nature, meaning that the Board members sit as a panel of judges. The Board members are not legislators. The importance of that distinction is that they must decide cases fairly on the facts and determine whether the party requesting the variance has met his or her burden of proof. They should not entertain or be influenced by personal or political considerations. For this reason, it is inadvisable for members to serve on other City boards and commissions.

The Board shall decide on any matter within 30 days after date of hearing. After a decision is made, the Zoning Administrator will carry out the decision made by the Board.  

Zoning Board of Appeals Dates and Deadlines (2024)

Zoning Board of Appeals Dates and Deadlines (2025)

Zoning Board of Appeals Application (Variance) 

          Instructions to apply for a Variance online

Zoning Board of Appeals Rules and Regulations 

The Eau Claire Zoning Board of Appeals is a five-member board appointed by the Eau Claire City Council.  Two alternate members are appointed to sit in the absence of regular members. The role of the Board is to review and act on appeals of alleged errors in the decision or determination made by the Zoning Administrator and in the review of variances. The Board may grant a variance only in accordance with the provisions of Title 18 of the Municipal Code. 

For more information about the Zoning Board of Appeals that is not addressed on the City's Website, please contact the Zoning Administrator at 715-839-4914 or planning@eauclairewi.gov.